I see Bendtsen's offers adapters to go from the Y-block to either an AOD or a 700-R4. Wilcap offers only the 700-R4 option. Is there a particular reason to go with one over the other in a '54 ch***is?
Having worked with both and having the AOD in my '54 it will be a better fit.You will want a 1988-93 AOD as these are non-computer and have all the latest lubrication upgrades and the improved valve body it is best to avoid the '87 and earlier models.Try to get the front yoke from the donor car also,you can get a conversion U-joint to mate up to your existing drive shaft.Another reason for the AOD is it will bolt to your stock '54 trans crossmember using an ANCHOR 2253 mount about $10 at O'Reilly or Autozone and the C4 & AOD is almost the same length as your old trans a 700R4 is about 6" longer and you will have to fabricate a mount.You can also get the kit here: http://www.transmissioncenter.com/A...sions_and_AOD_Performance_Parts_from_PATC.htm scroll down for description and picture.
There is also a c4 adapter from mummert. Never installed one, but I have bought other parts from him and the quality was great. It's not anywhere near as expensive as that aod adapter. http://ford-y-block.com/c4adapt.htm Rocky
But the C4 is not overdrive so the gain would be little,considering most '54 Fords had a 3:90 or 4:10 rear gear except Ford-O-Matics cars the AOD would be the ticket for cruising as it would reduce cruise RPM's by 30%.
Jeff, So if I slap an AOD behind a Y block I don't have to have the driveshaft shortened/lengthened? Nice! My car with a Fordomatic ought to have a 3:73, right?
Fordomatic cars have a 3.31 gear set! Putting any transmission in and out of those cars is a pita for sure. not enough space :/
The best way to really know your ratio is the old method of putting a chalk mark on the drive shaft and a tire and with the car's rear raised turn the axle by rotating the tire and comparing the revolutions,if the shaft rotates a little over 4 times to one tire rotation it would have 4:10 gears (1952-54 with 6 cyl and overdrive) over time someone may have swapped rears, back in the day you could buy a used rear for $30-$50 which was easier to do than tearing one down and replacing bearings and cheaper.You might get lucky with the driveshaft but here is what to look out for,the fullsize Mercs,Lincolns and Crown Vic AOD's are about 1 1/4" longer than the Mustang Cougar AOD so when you go looking for a core measure your Ford-O-Matic and get the closest one,also the C4 and AOD front yokes have the same splines but may be different length so take measurements and your tape measure when you hunt donor cores.
Thanks guys! Trying to figure out my RPMs/MPH in 3rd.... I found what should be a good 292 locally, but I'm also going to go with an AOD. Right now I figure at 70 I'm pulling around 3500 RPMs. I'm moving to Denver soon and that's gonna mean a lot of 80 mph cruising, figure at 4k I'm working the engine way too hard for comfort. I'll try that ratio test tonight Jeff, thanks for that!
With the AOD you would be around 2400-2450 RPM your engine would be happy and your wallets donation to the gas pumps would be less.
Jeff, thanks. I checked and I do have the 3.31 rear end. I'm not turning nearly as fast as I thought actually... ***uming that 3rd gear in a Fordomatic is a 1:1 and I have a 3.31:1 rear end I'm around 26mph per 1000 RPMs, so at 3000 I'd be at 78mph which I am OK with. I'd rather be at 2400 of course, but this isn't the end of the world for a Y block, is it?
dragonknucks "There is also a c4 adapter from mummert. Never installed one, but I have bought other parts from him and the quality was great. It's not anywhere near as expensive as that aod adapter". I would think that the C4 and AOD adapters are the same, they both have the same bolt pattern.
The adapters are different, the AOD has an integral bell housing C4's had an early and a late bellhousing also it is best to get the complete kit with the mini-starter which gives a lot more clearance for the exhaust on the p***enger side.
Jeff is right. The issue with using the C4 adapter with an AOD is the starter. The Bendtsen's kit is $850. That includes the adapter, a mini starter, a crank extension and I think a flywheel. Price isn't terrible IMO, ya figure they sell, what, 20 of these a year if that? Plus at least they aren't made in China
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